The Yamaha Tenere Adventure Bike

I love adventure bikes and adventure riding. There's a whole host of reasons why but mainly because it offers unparalleled freedom. I also think the motorcycles are some of the sexiest in the business. I like the look of those big bikes and they make me want to go riding towards a mountain to see what's on the other side.

Yamaha was once up to its crankcase in the adventure bike market with one of the most beloved and trusted names in the Ténéré. We first met the Ténéré in 1983 and said goodbye to it in 1994. For me, the 1988 Yamaha XT600Z Ténéré was the classic that always comes to mind and it sported some of the sweetest styling of any era. To me, it was the Ténéré.

In 2006 Yamaha reintroduced the name with the release of the XT660Z Ténéré and four years later, with the XT1200Z Super Ténéré, gave the world the true big bike it'd bee waiting for.I like the feel of the Yamaha XT1200 Super Ténéré. It offers a good compromise on sitting on or in the motorcycle, so to speak. In other words, it's built with comfort in mind but also control. The only oddity is that the back of your left boot touches a case if it creeps back on the peg too gar, which is hardly a noteworthy drama.

The adjustable windscreen is a generous unit for which we're all thankful on an open-road stretch. The seat is pretty much spot on, too, and overall the Yamaha XT1200 Super Ténŕé is very comfortable machine; wider footpegs and higher-bend handlebars are the only recommendations for those looking to do more off-road riding...